Apple rolled out a bevy of new product features today at its annual WWDC event, held virtually for the first time due to the global pandemic. Here’s what you need to know, with selected commentary. Watch the full presentation below.
https://twitter.com/Elektrojunge/status/1275091215357079552
Apple silicon
Perhaps the biggest news from Monday was Apple’ confirming plans to shift its Mac lineup to its own processors, moving its notebook and desktop computers away from Intel chips after 15 years. Apple will ship the first Mac with “Apple silicon” this year and make a full transition by 2022. “The transition to Apple silicon represents the biggest leap ever for the Mac,” Apple said in a statement. Apple said Microsoft and Adobe are already updating their software for the new architecture.
https://twitter.com/bxchen/status/1275133437393829888
iOS 14
https://twitter.com/TheRoyalRaajput/status/1275123020915327002
https://twitter.com/DetroitBORG/status/1275119549877231616
The new iPhone operating system now includes support for Widgets on the Home Screen, eliciting this brilliant tweet from The Verge’s Tom Warren:
https://twitter.com/tomwarren/status/1275114584072994816
There’s an App Library, which organizes apps; picture-in-picture support for FaceTime calls; and App Clips, which lets users quickly access specific in-app actions. More jokes:
https://twitter.com/benthompson/status/1275118693815443457
New iMessage features include more support for group chats, such as inline replies and pinned chats. There’s also a new feature to unlock car with your iPhone, and a way to set default email and browser apps.
iPadOS 14
Apple’s newest tablet OS has new design changes for apps such as Photos, Music, and Calendar. Universal Search lets users launch apps, find documents, and search within apps. Scribble converts handwriting to written text. And you can now set default email and browser apps on the iPad as well.
https://twitter.com/ProductHunt/status/1275125816981102594
watchOS 7
Apple Watch will now track sleep and hand-washing.
https://twitter.com/mgsiegler/status/1275124857382989824
https://twitter.com/richontech/status/1275125563439509504
macOS Big Sur
The latest version of the Mac operating system will get a notable redesign, as well as a Control Center and an updated Messages app. The Notification Center will group notifications together. There are new features for Safari, such as a custom start page and a new Privacy Report, and a revamped Maps experience.
https://twitter.com/MKBHD/status/1275129984554852355
tvOS 14
Apple TV users will be able to access HomeKit-enabled video cameras and accessories, as well as multi-user features for Apple Arcade.
Watch the full WWDC presentation here: